Santa Monica Ranks as Most Expensive Destination in California, According to CheapHotels.org Survey

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The beachfront city of Santa Monica is the most expensive destination in California in terms of its lodging cost. That's according to a recent survey from CheapHotels.org that compared hotel rates for 30 top destinations in the Golden State this summer.

The survey specifically analyzed the average amount hotel guest will have to spend in each destination to stay in the cheapest available double room. The period of comparison spans California's high tourist season of Memorial Day through Labor Day. Only those hotels rated at least 2 stars and located either near the city center or close to the beach were taken into consideration.

With an average rate of $213 per night for the least expensive double room, Santa Monica leads the list. The famous resort town in western Los Angeles County is significantly more expensive than the runners up: Calistoga, a small city at the north end of the Napa Valley, and Santa Catalina Island. These number two- and three-place finishers came in with average rates of $184 and $178, respectively, for the most affordable room.

Two of California's most populous cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, rank in the midfield, with average rates of $109 and $103, respectively. Meanwhile, the least expensive Californian destination according to the survey is Sacramento. There the least expensive double room will cost summer travelers only $43 per night on average.

The following table shows the 10 most expensive destinations in California based on the average rate for their cheapest available double room (minimum: 2-star hotel) during the time period spanning May 26 through September 1, 2014.